Manila: The Japan Football Association has won the AFC Inspiring Member Association of the Year award at the AFC Annual Awards 2014 celebration held in the Philippines on Sunday evening.

The prestigious award is given to a Member Association in recognition of its professional administration and governance as well its exceptional contribution to the development and promotion of the game at all levels within the country.

Recognising the diversity of MA’s in terms of facilities and resources and looking to ensure that more nations will receive recognition for their efforts and achievements in developing football in their country, the AFC last year introduced three winners for the Member Association of the Year award as opposed to just one. The Chinese Football Association was the winner of the Inspiring MA award last year.

“I am very honoured that all the activities by the Japanese football association has been evaluated and recognised so highly by the AFC," said Kuniya Daini, President of Japan Football Association, after being presented the award by AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

"We would like to continue to contribute as a leader to raise all of Asian football to the highest level in the world.”

The AFC’s 46 Member Associations are divided into three categories namely ‘Inspiring’, ’Developing’ and ‘Aspiring’. The category reflects the tier of AFC club competition the country is eligible to participate in.

Member Associations are assessed and awarded points on various areas encompassing the association’s activities such as the organisation of courses and seminars, competitions, grassroots and youth development, women’s programmes, social responsibility and special projects.

Points are also given for an MA’s hosting of AFC qualifying and finals tournaments as well as their national and club teams’ placing in AFC and FIFA competitions throughout the year.